Random thought, I grew up here but left for a while. Rent is about $1,054/month for a decent place. You can expect to pay around $1,054 for rent here. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Does this match your experience?
1 upvotes
14 Replies
Adam W.
I'm a chef and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
38 upvotes
Lisa W.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
38 upvotes
Aaron C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 7 years. Moved from Miami for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are excellent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Winters are long and cold. Road conditions need improvement. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
David Hernandez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 24, moved here 14 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The outdoor recreation situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Denver, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
28 upvotes
sacramento_lucy
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
25 upvotes
Brielle Roberts
lol so true
20 upvotes
milwaukeenative2023
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
Claire Martinez
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
17 upvotes
raised_natalie24
good to know, thanks
17 upvotes
sd_michael
not my experience at all
12 upvotes
Isla
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
10 upvotes
Ashley R.
accurate
5 upvotes
Jaxon E.
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much competitive but now it's tough.
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